There is no power, there is only evidence of power: Frédéric Encel, author of the book "The Paths of Power” (video)

The world is trying to maintain the balance of power around the United States-Russia confrontation. Fighting with Ukraine's desperation, undecided with Armenia's uncertainty and maneuvering with Turkey's cunning.

The nuclear threat is restrained, but how long would that be possible to do? The red lines once drawn by states and leaders have blurred over time, and the situation is not merely tense—it is erupting globally. According to Frédéric Encel, the author of "The Paths of Power," power, in its most literal sense, will ultimately determine the outcome of these challenges.

"It is impossible to talk about geopolitics without talking about power. Power balances, spheres of influence, political, economic, military conflicts are at the basis of international relations”.

Frédéric Encel emphasizes two of the dozens of power factors: the state and geography, both of which have direct relevance to Armenia. The collapse of the state represents the ultimate endpoint, while geography provides the means to either prevent reaching that endpoint or to leverage its decisive advantage and avoid losing everything.

"In another paradigmatic example of this undeniable reality, in the fall of 2020, the Azerbaijani army decisively defeated the Armenian forces, capitalizing on the unique mountainous geography and employing weapons specifically tailored to exploit it, notably drones."

In this book, Frédéric Encel consistently provides a detailed picture of the current state of the world, identifying trends and developments, and drawing on historical references where necessary. These references serve not as lessons but as instructive examples.

"If Azerbaijan starts a new war against Armenia, it will end with the destruction of the Republic of Armenia."

Armenia is on many pages of this book. According to the author, the threat of force against Armenia, the use of force can change the fundamental norms of international relations.

"International rights, starting from the post-Soviet times to the current laws, do not allow Azerbaijan to have aspirations towards Armenia. This circumstance is now a challenge to the world, and we must see the steps to prevent the Azerbaijani attack in the near future."

If you only have a hammer in your hand, every problem will seem like a nail, but the tendency to use force in a vindictive, unreasonable or harmful way is not an eternal and universal iron law. On the other hand, the author emphasizes that the concept of power does not lose its legitimacy because some actors unquestionably and dangerously use it for conquest. Therefore, only force can be the basis of peace aspirations.

“Some case studies mechanically suggest a potentially positive role for deterrence in saving peace or ensuring peaceful continuation. Therefore, the rejection of force is more dangerous from a moral point of view and, in a certain sense, paradoxical, because it contradicts the past."

Why do states seek power and why do they use that power? The answer is more to be or have, always more. And what is power? Encel paraphrases the poet Pierre Reverdy, according to which "there is no love, there are only proofs of love." According to Encel, there is no power, there is only evidence of power.